Travel insurance is not a legal requirement in most countries, and some people travel without it. When a death occurs abroad without insurance in place, the financial consequences can be severe. Repatriation of a body from overseas is expensive. Without an insurer to cover the costs, the bill falls to the estate of the deceased, or in practice to the family.
This article explains what options exist and what to do if you are facing this situation.
The Government Will Not Pay
This is the point families most often misunderstand. The FCDO consular team will help with practical steps, such as confirming identity, advising on local requirements, and keeping you informed. What they will not do is pay repatriation costs or advance money to a funeral director in the country of death.
The UK government’s position has been consistent for many years: consular assistance does not include financial support for repatriation. If the family cannot cover the costs, the body may remain in storage in the country of death while longer-term solutions are explored.
This is a hard truth, and it is worth stating clearly so that families can move quickly to identify real solutions rather than waiting for a government contribution that will not come.
The Estate of the Deceased
If the deceased had assets — a bank account, savings, a property — those assets form their estate and can be used to meet repatriation costs. In practice, accessing the estate quickly is difficult. Probate takes time. Banks freeze accounts on notification of death.
Some banks will release funds directly from a deceased’s account for funeral and repatriation purposes before probate is granted, particularly where the surviving spouse or close relative holds a joint account or where the amount involved is relatively modest. Ask the deceased’s bank directly and as soon as possible. Different banks have different policies; some will release up to £5,000 for funeral costs without requiring grant of probate.
Credit and Personal Loans
Family members who have access to credit may need to fund repatriation personally and seek reimbursement from the estate once probate is granted. This is not ideal but is a practical option for many families. A personal loan or credit card advance can bridge the gap.
If this route is taken, keep meticulous records of all expenditure, including receipts from the overseas funeral director, the repatriation company, and the UK receiving funeral director. All of these expenses are legitimate estate costs that reduce the estate’s taxable value.
Airline Compassionate Fares
If the family is looking at alternatives to full body repatriation, some airlines offer compassionate bereavement fares for family members travelling to collect or oversee arrangements. These are reduced-price tickets offered on compassionate grounds. They are not widely advertised but can be obtained by calling the airline’s customer service line and explaining the circumstances. Documentation is required.
Note that compassionate fares are for the family’s travel, not for cargo. Cargo charges for human remains are separate and must be paid regardless of the fare type used for passenger travel.
Repatriation of Ashes as a More Affordable Option
If burial or cremation in the country of death is acceptable to the family, and ashes are then repatriated, the overall cost is lower. Ashes are transported as personal effects under IATA rules and do not require the same cargo infrastructure as a body. They can in most cases be carried in hold luggage by a travelling family member, subject to the receiving airline’s policy and the country of death’s cremation permit requirements.
This option is not always culturally or religiously acceptable, but for families facing very significant financial pressure, it is worth knowing that it exists. A UK repatriation company can advise on the specific requirements for the country concerned.
Local Burial
Local burial in the country of death is a legal option in almost every country. It is sometimes significantly less expensive than repatriation. If the deceased had a connection to the country, or if the family has no strong objection to it, this may be worth considering. It does not prevent the family from holding a memorial service in the UK.
The British Embassy or High Commission can provide a list of local funeral directors and advise on local burial law in the country concerned.
Charitable and Community Support
Some charitable organisations provide limited financial assistance for bereaved families in specific circumstances. The British Red Cross offers emergency financial assistance in some situations. Religious communities, employers, trade unions, and community organisations sometimes have benevolent funds that can help. A social worker or Citizens Advice adviser can help identify locally relevant sources.
Crowdfunding has been used by some families to meet repatriation costs. This is entirely legal and can be effective for families with strong community or social media networks. It will not work for everyone, and the timeline required to raise funds may conflict with the timeline of the foreign authorities’ storage capacity.
If There Is a Long Delay
Foreign mortuaries do not store bodies indefinitely. Most have statutory or practical storage limits, and fees accumulate. If costs cannot be met and no solution is found within the storage period, the local authorities may proceed with local burial at minimal cost. This outcome is distressing for families but does happen in extreme cases.
Contact a UK repatriation specialist regardless of the insurance position. They have dealt with uninsured cases before and can sometimes identify options that are not immediately obvious, including negotiating staged payment arrangements with overseas partners.
Sources: FCDO, What Consular Staff Can and Cannot Do, gov.uk, 2024. Citizens Advice, Help When Someone Dies, citizensadvice.org.uk, 2024. British Red Cross, Emergency Financial Assistance, redcross.org.uk, accessed May 2026. HM Revenue and Customs, Inheritance Tax: Funeral Expenses, gov.uk, 2024. HM Courts and Tribunals Service, Applying for Probate, gov.uk, 2023.